How hard is it to get into nursing school?

KristaB · Nov 8, 2001

It totally depends on the school. Some do it by GPA, some by a point system. You really need to go talk to the guidance counselor for the nursing program at your school to know for sure.

Krista

BrandyBSN · Nov 8, 2001

I agree, you should check with a guidance counselor to find out how they base admission.

The only program I really know about is the one that I am currently in.

Their requirements (for an incoming freshman) are:

an ACT Test Score of atleast 26, a high school class rank in the top 10%, and atleast a 3.5 high school GPA. They also require 2 writing samples, and an essay written on a topic that they assign each year. I think in 1998 my essay was on America 2000 vs Goals 2000 (government legislation...blah), and a personal letter as to why I wanted to be a nurse, and what my future goals were.

Many schools do not require as many things, or they dont look at GPA and class rank at all. Some schools value community service a lot more than grades and test scores. Try to find a program that values what YOU value :)

Your grades sound pretty good, although I dont know how heavily weighed the As are compared to the C. Just be sure of yourself, and prove that you would be a valuable asset to their program! It is hard work, and school is very competitive, but if you set your mind into achieving it, you should be great!

Good Luck, welcome to the boards, and keep us posted :)

BrandyBSN

KristaB · Nov 8, 2001

I'll share what my school requires, just to contrast with Brandy's. :)

Mine requires no specific GPA or grades, other than everything required or co-required for the program has to be above a 2.0. Admission is competitive on a point system, where every class that you have taken prerequisite or co-requisite for the program is assigned a point value (science classes are assigned higher point values than the other liberal arts classes required). The better your grades are in the classes, the more points you get. They then accept applications up to a certain date, score all of the applications and take the top X number of applicants. It makes it completely objective in who they take into the program.

I also think BSN programs tend to be more competitive than ADN programs, like the one I am in. The BSN program here has a lot more subjective requirements, like essays, recommendation letters, etc.

Like I said, all programs vary in what they require/value in an application. :) Best to check with the guidance counselor so that you can know ahead of time.

Good luck!

Krista

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2001

It all depends on the school because they will vary. My school requires at least a 2.5 with strong scores in math/science. Nothing LOWER than a C is accepted. MOST of the people at my school has way beyond a 2.5. IF you have anything between a 2.5-3.0 at my school they evaulate you very carefully. They want to see why your GPA is like that and how have you improved. When I applied to nursing school my GPA was only a 2.8. My first TWO semesters of college was VERY rough, for several several personal reasons. I started college at one of the worst times in my life. I should have waited and that way would have had a better GPA but I did not wait. I wanted to go to college just like my clasmates. I graduated high school in 1997. However, MOST of my classmates did not have a baby and a abusive relationship. Anyway enough of that. My nursing school seen the great improvement I had from my first two semesters at the community college I got my associate's in liberal arts degree from to the last 3 semesters and they were totally amazed because the last two semesters I got at least a 3.0 from each of those semesters but the first two semesters made my GPA only a 2.8 because I had a F my first semester and a D my second semester in anatomy so I had to re-take anatomy. I wrote an essay to my school that was very powerful. I told them I had a rough start but I fully believe I will make it and will become very successful. I was right. I am getting ready to finish my second semester and nothing been lower than B's in any of my nursing courses.

My story is sometimes what some people need because then they realize that they can do it too and that there is hope. You have to believe in yourself and you have to give the admissions people a reason to believe in you. After this semester my official GPA should be at least a 3.1. It gets better and better each semester and I have 3 semesters left.

Good luck

Stacey · Nov 8, 2001

I'm living away from home for the first time in my life and that has been hard, plus September 11th and my friends being deployed...

So I'm going home to community college next semester, I'll probably do better there. The C is in my math class, they have these horrible self taught math mods here. I'm taking the same class next semester with a teacher. What a concept. :rolleyes:

The school I want to get into requires that all classes be completed with a 2.0 and an overall grade point average of 2.75. I'm just worried about how many other people will meet that requirement. It also requires an essay. Hmm. I think I'll do okay. I'm just a bundle of nerves right now. :)

Thanks for your kind welcome and responses.

WyndDrivenRain, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2001

Hi Everyone :)

I wish my school had some of the requirements I see others talking about. Its very frustrating to have a 3.8 GPA, all the pre-reqs done, all the core-reqs done, and have a degree in another field and sit on a waiting list because the schools policy is anybody with a 2.5 can get in. Just take the three required pre-reqs pull a "C" and your in. No point system, no interviews, no essays, nothing. Its a rolling admissions program and they let you in the class that has the next available slot. No consideration is given to people who just have the nursing classes left and have a excellent grades. Frustrating but in my price range so atleast I can't complain about that. Its a good school with an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX but I do wish their admission requirements were stricter so I could be in faster. :) I really hoped I would of been in for this past September and now my hopes are dwindling for the January 2002 class, maybe next September 2002 or January 2003.. I have run out of classes to take, even for fun LOL

Sue

Mom to Michael Pactrick 4/12/99

BrandyBSN · Nov 10, 2001

That would be very aggrevating. I am extremely glad that requirements here are a little rough. It weeds out all the "slackers" pretty quick, which makes class a whole lot better when people arent asking the same questions 3 times in a row.

giftedRN · Nov 13, 2001

Damn!!

I thought my school was rough but now I know what other students are going through. I attend the university of south florida and to enter the Nursing College is very competitive. You have to have all the Prerequisites for any form of consideration and they put students on waiting list.

Your GPA can be a 2.5 but if other students getting 3.8 or 4.0 you are SURE going to be left behind. I am hoping that when they look at my AGE they will consider me because I do not have a lot of years to wait to start this nursing program. I am 34 and doing pretty well as a freshman so far and I am determine to continue to do well or even better.

I am hoping to be admitted spring or fall 2003.

Hang in there!